Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community- The LFUCG has joined with the University of Kentucky and Fayette County Public Schools in a new initiative to create a greater regional commitment to environmental issues by government, schools, businesses, and private citizens.  Call 257- 3780 or 257-8637.

Ø      Any resident, who lives in Fayette or any of the 18 counties in the surrounding Bluegrass area, can utilize the Lexington Bluegrass Mobility Office Carpool/Vanpool Program.  Individuals interested in carpooling, vanpooling, transit, biking program or telecommuting can call Roger Daman at 233- 7665. 

Ø      The Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization uses an Ozone and Particluate Matter Forecasting Model during the Ozone season, May 1 - September 30, to predict the Air Quality Index level in Lexington. If you want to check for an Air Quality Action Day or just see the current Air Quality forecast use the following link to access today's and tomorrow's forecast of the air quality conditions in the  Lexington and Central Kentucky area at   http://www.lfucg.com/Mobility/Ozone.asp . For information call David Schaars at 859-258-3180.  

Ø      The city now has a fleet of 31 Hybrid Electric Vehicles. These vehicles reduce gas consumption by up to two thirds and produce fewer pollutants.  LFUCG’s hybrid fleet received an environmental award in 2003 from the Lexington-Fayette Environmental Commission. Contact Fleet Services at 258-3910.     

Ø      May was National Bike Month.  Mayor Newberry and 700 other bicyclists participated in Bike Lexington 2007 on Saturday, May 19.  The 10-mile bike ride through parts of Lexington began at 10:30 a.m. at the new Courthouse Plaza. A series of bike races were held from 8 to 10 a.m.  Bike Lexington 2008 is scheduled for Saturday May 17, 2008. Bike and Pedestrian related information is available at www.lfucg.com/bikewalklex. or call Kenzie Gleason at 859-258-3605.      

Ø      Biodiesel Initiative- In 2006 the LFUCG joined with UK, Fayette County Public Schools, and LexTran in a new initiative to increase the use of biodiesel locally.  Using biodiesel (which is typically made from soybeans) conserves natural resources and improves air quality.  For our part the LFUCG committed to use B10 (diesel containing 10% biodiesel) for 150 vehicles and for Division of Sanitary Sewer vehicles.  Call 258-3180. 

Ø      EPA Change A Light Change The World Campaign-   The city signed up as a pledge driver in 2006.  As a pledge driver, the LFUCG encouraged employees and the public to switch from incandescent bulbs to more energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent lamps.  Call 425-2479. 

Ø      Composting – In 2006 the LFUCG Div. of Solid Waste composted 19,711 tons of yard waste and 4,346 tons of brush at the LFUCG compost pad.  Call 425-2255. 

Ø      Electronics Recycling Program – The Division of Solid Waste now accepts unwanted electronics from Fayette County residences for recycling once each quarter in 2006.   In 2006, Solid Waste accepted and recycled 304,070 pounds of electronic components.  Call 425-2255. 

Ø      Garbage Collection - Solid Waste switched from twice-a-week garbage collection to once-a-week garbage collection.  This change saves money, reduces vehicle emissions and conserves fuel and other resources.  Call 425-2255.  

Ø      Great American Cleanup- LFUCG employees and neighborhood groups join together to collect trash and debris during the annual Great American Cleanup. This year the event will run from April - June.  Around 3,700 people volunteered in 2006, collecting over 415 tons of garbage. Call Toni Floyd at 425-2429. 

Ø      KY EXCEL- The City of Lexington became the first city to voluntarily join the KY Excellence in Environmental Leadership (KY EXCEL) Program in November 2006.  The program, which is administered by the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, works to protect the environment by undertaking voluntary environmental projects and demonstrating leadership on environmental issues.  Call 425- 2479.   

Ø      Kentucky River Clean Sweep- The LFUCG participates in the annual Kentucky River Clean Sweep each June.  In 2006, LFUCG employees and volunteers removed 1.75 tons of trash from the Kentucky River.  Call 425-2255.  

Ø      Purchase of Development Rights Program- This program pays rural landowners to keep their farms undeveloped, thereby preserving green space in Fayette County. To date, the Rural Land Management Board has purchased conservation easements (development rights) to more than 17,000 acres.  Call  425-2220.     

Ø      Rechargeable Battery Recycling- The LFUCG has 13 collection points for recycling of rechargeable batteries.  These batteries are shipped and recycled at no cost to the city.   In 2006, 536 pounds of rechargeable batteries were recycled through this program.  Call 425-2255.  

Ø      Recycling of Solid Waste- The LFUCG Recycling increased the amount of recyclables collected in 2006 by 1,099 tons. Some 16,721 tons of glass, cardboard, office paper, newspaper, aluminum, steel, and other fiber were recycled through the Center in 2006. This saved more than $374,000 in landfill tipping fees. More than $1,248,078 was recouped in 2006 from the sales of these materials.  Additionally, the Recycling Center entered into an agreement with 17 nearby counties to accept their materials for recycling.  Call 425-2255.   

Ø      Reforest the Bluegrass – The LFUCG continued its Reforest the Bluegrass Program, which is a cooperative effort between the Divisions of Engineering, Streets Roads and Forestry, Parks and Recreation, and the community. The Reforest the Bluegrass program is designed to improve water quality in area streams by helping restore the forest canopy.  To date, more than 150,000 tree seedlings have been planted and more than 5,000 volunteers have assisted in this effort.  Call 258-3410. 

Ø      2006 Spring Clean - The city, in conjunction with Fayette County Schools, the University of Kentucky and others accepted hazardous chemicals, such as weed killer, motor oil and other household chemicals, from Fayette County residences during the 2006 Spring Clean. More than 1,900 residents brought a total of 94 tons of household hazardous waste to this event. Call Public Works at 258-3400.  

Ø      Traffic Signal LED Change-Out - In 2005, all 10,088 signal indicators in Fayette County were retrofitted to the LED gel core type through a Memorandum of Agreement with the KY Dept of Highways. This retrofit reduces greenhouse gas emissions, enhances public safety and significantly reduces energy costs and maintenance costs. This upgrade reduced energy costs by approximately $120,000 per year. Call 258-3497.   

Ø      Universal Waste- The LFUCG recycled over 23,000 bulbs and lamps in 2006 from our internal operations (including over 10 miles of fluorescent lamps).  Call Tom Webb at 425-2479.  

Ø      U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement -- This agreement was signed by the Mayor in 2005.   Participating communities strive to abide by the KYOTO Protocol and encourage state and federal governments to enact policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Lexington and Louisville are the only two communities in Kentucky that have signed this agreement.  Call 258-3837.      

Ø      White Appliance Recycling- In 2005, the Div. of Solid Waste used an outside vendor to recycle 5,568 white appliances such as refrigerators and stoves, which is equivalent to 367 tons of white appliances. Call 425-2255. 

Ø      Water Quality- LFUCG Engineering has developed several programs to improve water quality.  These include Reforest the Bluegrass, the ReNEW Project, Operation Upstream, Adopt-A-Creek, Adopt-A-Trail, Creek Watchers, the Wild Side of Lexington, the Greenway Program, Kentucky Rivershed Watch, the Kentucky River Basin Management Team, and the detention/retention basin inspection team.  Call 258-3410.